wenger:’We need that kind of focus in every game’

On the importance of the win…
“It is a massive win for us because we recently lost two games unexpectedly, and to lose today would have put us 13 points adrift of Chelsea; that would have been too much. It was a test of character and we came here maybe without the needed level of confidence but we showed from the start that we have character and I think we were a bit unlucky to be behind at half-time.

“In the second half we slowly moved on top and started to win the fight in the middle of the park. From then when we had the ball we looked as though we could be dangerous. So I am very, very happy to now, after beating Manchester United, we beat Chelsea and I believe that brings us back. It is still far but not impossible. I have an intelligent team, a talented one, but we want to come back with humility and work hard. We have learned that we need that kind of focus in every game no matter who you play.”

On a slow start…
“In the first-half I think they [Chelsea] started a bit stronger and it took us 15 minutes to get into the game. We were on the back foot and then came slowly in. When we got in we scored an own goal. I had to tell the players to keep the high pace as long as we could because that was when we looked dangerous. I didn’t think we should be concerned by the fact we were trailing, but just to keep the high pace, get closer to their midfield – we had given them too much freedom before – and that changed the game.”

On the team’s title credentials…
“It is true that we have more regrets this season, but the results show we have the level needed to be there [at the top] but it is up to us in the coming months.”

On injuries…
“We have been disturbed by injuries you know, sometimes with nine players out, and that is too many. You can take four or five but nine is too much.”

On getting in the right mindset…
“I believe this is part of the learning process, to win when you are not on the edge. You know you will not be is the same mindset every game, but you must learn to win whenever. I have an intelligent group and a young one. When you think you can just turn up and win, it is not good enough.”

On the performance of William Gallas…
“I think William was outstanding today, absolutely amazing. He came out of that troublesome period with, for me, a lot of credit. His commitment is fantastic and he was outstanding today, and had already been like that against Kyiv on Tuesday night. It shows he is a fighter.”

On partnering Johan Djourou and Gallas in defence…
“I wanted to try that partnership and I believe also Song gives us the stature to defend in the air. Djourou added it too, and we were a bit stronger in the duels and in the air.”

On being a threat from high balls…
“We felt in the first half that we could be dangerous in the air because we had some joy with Van Persie winning some balls and of course with a fit Adebayor, he can win in the air against anybody.”

On Chelsea’s stuttering home form…
“Sometimes it is strange in this game. Remember when we went 49 games unbeaten and then lost, we couldn’t win again for five games. It looks like a sort of charisma goes when you lose a long record. It looks like players have been on top of Mount Everest and then get knocked all the way down, and now you must tell them to climb back up again.”

On John Terry’s challenge on Bacary Sagna…
“I think it was a bad tackle because he had no chance to get the ball. It was not bad because he had two feet on the ground, a sliding tackle, one that wasn’t intended to hurt Sagna.”

On the psychological ramifications of the match…
“I believe the win gives us the belief we can come back [into the title race], but what it does to Chelsea, I don’t know.”

Wenger – Why I see Fabregas as a 26-year-old

By Chris Harris

Cesc Fabregas has long been considered an ‘old head on young shoulders’. Now Arsène Wenger has pinpointed a ‘virtual’ age for the new Arsenal captain.

The Frenchman handed Fabregas his first-team debut at the tender age of 16 years 177 days in October 2003. Now, a little over five years on, the influential midfielder has piled up 213 appearances for Arsenal and will lead them out for the first time in the Premier League at Chelsea on Sunday.

Only Tony Adams has captained the Club at a younger age but Wenger is not concerned about that. Although Fabregas is just 21, the Arsenal manager believes he is closer to 26 in footballing terms and does not expect the captaincy to change the Spaniard’s approach.

“I think first you want him to do his job well and not to be too worried about the rest, and that is the best way to be a captain basically,” said Wenger.

“Play your game well, lead by example, and the rest comes along because I believe that he has experience already, he has [nearly] 250 games for the Club.

“Basically he is 26 instead of being 21 because a player normally at 26, 27 years of age, he has 250 games for his club. That’s why I believe, with the rest, he should just behave like he is used to.”

Chelsea 1-2 Arsenal

By Richard Clarke

Robin van Persie fired Arsenal back into the title race with two goals in three second-half minutes at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

The Dutchman thumped a shot high into the Chelsea net after 60 minutes and then, soon afterwards, beat Petr Cech with a low shot on the turn.

The brace cancelled out Johan Djourou’s own goal in the first half and all but obliterated the gloomy predictions surrounding Arsenal going into this game.

Having lost their last two Premier League matches, Wenger’s side would have been 13 points off the pace had they lost here today and their season’s obituaries would have been penned.

As it is, Arsenal will still be 10 adrift of Liverpool if Rafa Benitez’ side win on Monday. However they have now beaten two of their main three title rivals.

Wenger’s side remain capable of brilliance yet are frustratingly inconsistent, however, they proved once again this afternoon that they have character in abundance.

And that, more than anything, should mean they will be real challengers this year.

Wenger had been without nine players for their last two games. Thankfully three experienced heads – Bacary Sagna, Emmanuel Adebayor and Samir Nasri – returned this afternoon against the Premier League leaders. From the side that had beaten Kyiv on Tuesday, Mikael Silvestre, Aaron Ramsey and Carlos Vela all dropped to the bench while Djourou moved from right back into central defence.

In midfield, Alex Song partnered Cesc Fabregas, who was making his 150th Premier League appearance. Denilson began on the right, Nasri on the left.

Arsenal’s last win at Stamford Bridge had come on February 21, 2004. Until a month ago it had been the last away victory on this ground in the Premier League.

Wenger’s men badly needed a repeat today. Successive defeats had suggested Arsenal might play little part in the title shake-up. It was hard to contemplate, given we were not yet in December.

The opening salvos belonged to Chelsea. Fabregas made a crucial block on Nicolas Anelka and Salomon Kalou went clear onto Deco’s pass only to be flagged offside. Replays proved the assistant referee had been wrong.

Without a goal in 222 Premier League minutes before kick-off, Arsenal’s confidence still seemed to be a little shaky, however they gradually got to the pace in this frenetic derby.

And, in the 14th minute, they would create the clearest chance in the first quarter of the game.

Adebayor had time and space on the right to place his cross to the far post. He found Fabregas, whose shot was kicked away by Petr Cech. As the ball flew out of the area, Gallas narrowly missed the opportunity to turn the ball home.

Fabregas would test the Chelsea keeper again almost immediately but, overall, the visitors’ flurry would be brief.

Almunia had to kick clear as Kalou sprinted through. Then, in the 24th minute, Bosingwa sent over a sharp cross to the near post and Lampard’s bullet header was gratefully clutched by the keeper.

Chelsea were starting to turn the screw. However their opening goal would be more down to Arsenal than the home side.

In fairness, its origins were unlucky. On the half-hour Gallas was harshly adjudged to have fouled Kalou inside the D. Michael Ballack took the free-kick and saw his effort deflected wide for a corner.

Almunia confidently caught Lampard’s effort at the far post but his quick throw towards Nasri on the left was misdirected. Chelsea collected the ball easily and, eventually, Bosingwa sent over a low ball towards the near post that the sliding Djourou turned it into his own net.

Only a superb challenge stopped Anelka from doubling Chelsea’s advantage straight afterwards as Arsenal began to wobble.

In fairness Van Persie forced a fine low save from Cech soon afterwards and then Fabregas fired in another effort from distance. However, Chelsea seemed to be playing with something to spare.

Anelka nearly extended their lead twice in the dying minutes of the half. First when he steered a stumbling header wide then, after Clichy’s error, the striker went clear only to make a hash of his effort.

The start of the second half saw Chelsea nearly extend their lead. In the 51 minute, Kalou tried to feed Anelka but the backtracking Clichy could only tee the ball up for Lampard who swept the ball wide from the edge of the area.

Arsenal needed something inspirational – a piece of skill, a piece of luck, an injustice – anything to lift their game.

And, right on cue, they got it.

On 58 minutes, Chelsea failed to clear their lines and Denilson tapped a pass forward to Van Persie on the edge of the area. The Dutchman looked to be offside – a replay proved he was – but that did not prevent him slamming the ball high in the net.

It was a lifeline and Arsenal grabbed it with both hands and hauled themselves back into the game.

Three minutes after the first goal, Arsenal got a second. Song was fouled by Kalou on the left and Fabregas floated the ball into the area. Adebayor headed it down and Van Persie, running away from goal, reversed a shot through a thicket of legs, beyond Cech’s left hand and into the corner of the net.

An unbelievable comeback that had arrived just when Chelsea seemed set to hammer home their advantage.

Van Persie even attempted to complete a 10-minute hat-trick but his free-kick flew high over the bar.

However, Scolari’s side were far from spent. They would launch an assault on the Arsenal goal in the latter stages.

But it would be based around possession and pot-shots. Almunia was barely troubled and, indeed, Denilson nearly added a third at the death on the break

After the whistle the Arsenal players threw their shirts into the crowd. It was an emotional moment after an emotional game.

They knew what they had done might just change their season.

Walcott is out for ‘at least three months’

Arsène Wenger has indicated that Theo Walcott will be out for “at least three months” after picking up a shoulder injury on England duty this week.

The 19-year-old suffered a dislocation on Tuesday in the build-up to the 2-1 win in Germany. It appears that the problem will keep him sidelined until well into 2009.

“[Theo] dislocated his shoulder during training, he will be out for at least three months,” said Wenger while commentating on France v Uruguay for French TV channel TF1.

Arsenal.com will have more news on Walcott’s injury on Thursday afternoon.

Source: Reuters

arsenal vs stoke

By Richard Clarke

Arsenal slipped to their third defeat of the season in fractious fashion at Stoke on Saturday.

The home side secured a surprise victory with goals in the 11th minute from Ricardo Fuller and Seyi Olofinjana in the 73rd. Both were the result of Rory Delap’s torpedo throw-ins. Gael Clichy’s long-range strike in injury time was simply too little too late.

Arsenal’s horrible afternoon was capped three minutes after the second Stoke strike when Robin van Persie was sent off for a challenge on keeper Thomas Sorensen. The Dutchman had only been on the pitch for 10 minutes after coming off the bench. The visitors also had Emmanuel Adebayor and Theo Walcott stretchered off in the second half. Incredibly they ended the game with just nine men on the pitch.

Arsenal did play well in patches but they failed to pack much of a punch all afternoon and, after Tottenham’s two-goal comeback on Wednesday, this is the last result they needed.

They must recover their Premier League form quickly because the gap between Wenger’s men and the leaders is growing.

The only upside of a dismal day is that Arsenal have ample time to regain the points lost at the Britainnia Stadium this afternoon.

Stoke’s strongarm reputation perhaps precipitated the four changes made by Wenger ahead of the game.

Certainly Samir Nasri, Walcott and Van Persie were players less atune to the scrapping required this afternoon than their replacements – Nicklas Bentdner, Abou Diaby and Alex Song. The final change of the afternoon was enforced. William Gallas hurt his hamstring against Spurs so Kolo Toure returned after missing the last three games.

It was a bitterly cold afternoon in the Potteries and, if you believe the British newspapers, Arsenal’s title chances were in danger of turning a similar temperature in the wake of Tottenham’s comeback in midweek.

However the opening stages suggested Wenger’s men had recovered well. They bossed the early minutes and penned Stoke back into their own half.

But they were to be undone by Stoke’s opening chance. The effectiveness of Delap’s throw-ins have become well-known in Premier League circles this season yet Arsenal were caught out in the 11th minute by the first one they had to handle.

The Irishman flung a flat, fast ball into the area and Fuller battled to get beyond Toure and nudge home a header at the far post.

It was real sucker-punch and it drew the confidence out of Arsenal for 10 minutes.

Meanwhile Stoke were ebullient. They had a willing workhorse up front in Fuller and Delap’s subsequent throw-ins always caused consternation.

However the closest they really came was in the 19th minute when Almunia’s weak punch fell to Delap and Clichy nodded his looping header off the line.

By the midway point of the half, Arsenal had regained much of their poise. Adebayor fired a low shot at Sorensen and Bendtner had a half-chance but failed to control the ball with his chest.

However Stoke now had the luxury of sitting back in defence of their lead. They were breaking when possible then trying to win free-kicks and throw-ins around the area.

Meanwhile, Arsenal were restricted to long shots. The nearest they came to troubling Sorensen was Adebayor’s shot from the left just before the whistle but it flew a few feet over the bar.

Wenger’s side were re-energised after the break. They tore at Stoke in the opening minutes but again failed to force a save from Sorensen.

On the hour Wenger made a change. He brought on Walcott, pulled Song in to centre half and moved Toure to right back.

It nearly brought an immediate dividend when the Ivorian met a Fabregas corner on the edge of the six-yard area. Unfortunately his volley flew a few feet over bar.

After that Wenger brought on Van Persie and switched to 4-3-3. However a Delap throw-in nearly brought a goal against the run of play. This time the ball was only half-cleared and Salif Diao’s low shot was fingertipped away by Almunia.

The Arsenal manager was forced into another change with 19 minutes left. Adebayor had needed lengthy treatment earlier in the half following a challenge from Ryan Shawcross. When he got another knock he had to go off and Carlos Vela came on.

Worse was to come. Stoke won a throw on the left, Delap did his thing and Olofinjana bundled the ball in the far post. It was a scrappy goal but it did not matter to the home fans.

And there was still worse to come after that. Sorensen delayed collecting a chest back from Andy Griffin and Van Persie challenged him strongly. Referee Styles saw enough show the Dutchman a straight red card.

Walcott was also stretchered off in the dying seconds, leaving them with just nine men on the pitch.

Incredibly they then scored. Clichy chose an odd time to register his first goal as a professional footballer. His low, long-range drive crept into the corner to give Arsenal a little hope.

But the whistle blew soon afterwards.

wenger: ‘At the end of the day Stoke deserved to win’

On his side’s performance…
“It was a game where we had a lot of possession. The team we played defended very well and were well organised. We were not sharp enough to create the chances and conceded two goals on two throw-ins. They fought for every ball and they waited for their set-pieces. In the end Stoke won because we didn’t create enough chances to score.”

On preparing for Delap’s throw-ins…
“We had a plan to deal with the throw-ins; we had worked on it. I am not sure the first one was touched by anybody. They fly into the box and it is difficult with 20 people in there. That sort of thing is not our greatest strength. We were punished and I believe we were unlucky as well.”

On a traditional English match…
“People who love the traditional English game must be happy because they got what they like today. It was a traditional game with a lot of fight and commitment. At the end of the day Stoke deserved to win the game.”

On a tough schedule…
“I believe we tried very hard and I think Stoke are sharp at the moment and we looked jaded physically. At the moment we play a lot games and we suffer a little a bit because of that. It isn’t confidence but we gave a lot on Wednesday. We play again in midweek and that is why, in the repetition of games, if you don’t score first you suffer.”

On Van Persie’s dismissal…
“I think that the red card was very, very harsh. If you get [Andy] Griffin without a yellow card today and Robin with a red, then I have to review my rulebook. He shouldn’t have done it but I don’t think it was a red card.”

On an array of injuries…
“We have very bad injuries to Adebayor and Walcott, and there is Sagna. One or two have knocks as well. It is the kind of game we played today and when you are a little bit short on sharpness, you are less agile and get out of tackles less quickly.”

[Saturday, November 01, 2008]

Arsenal & AC Milan Keen To Utilize Beckham Influence

Arsenal and AC Milan have throw their hats into the ring by offering David Beckham the opportunity to keep in shape ahead of England’s forthcoming friendly against Germany, by using their training facilities.

But whilst both outfits have shown generosity in inviting the LA Galaxy midfielder into their headquarters, it seems the two Club’s have very different motives.

Arsenal are especially keen for Beckham to return to Colney next month, as his professional influence no doubt had a positive effect on the young Gunners – who were training with the first team last Winter. David’s ‘Beckingham Palace’ home is just a short drive from the state of the art training centre, meaning the deal would be mutually beneficial.

Indeed, when quizzed about the subject during his pre-match press conference on Friday, Arsène Wenger publicly extended the offer to Beckham.

“I have not heard about him returning, but he is always welcome back.”

“His behaviour was spot on, he was a top-level professional and he earned a lot of respect here.”

Milan have confirmed speculation that they have also offered the former England skipper a similar deal, although unlike Arsenal, AC see the arrangement as more of trial period, with a view to potentially signing David.

“If Beckham would like to train with us, there wouldn’t be a problem for me. I confirm that during a summer there was a negotiation to make him become a Milan player, but it did not go through.” – said manager Carlo Ancelotti

Fabio Capello also talked about his professional attitude, which would improve any group of players according to the Italian. During his time with the Gunners, Sanchez Watt, Kieran Gibbs, Jack Wilshere and Mark Randall had spells working with the 33-year-old, the latter even stayed behind for extra free-kick training.

It’s not yet known what Beckham will decide to do as yet, but with Galaxy’s MLS campaign coming to a close yesterday, a decision over his plans for the next two months should be announced shortly.

Article By – J.Sanderson